Cheap Rifle Scopes That Actually Work

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Abel

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What is the cheapest riflescope that you own that actually functions in most weather conditions.

I have an older Bushnell Banner from the 1970's that just keeps on piling up deer. Its been on my dad's Browning BAR for most of its years, but the past few years its continued with its freezer filling ways on top of my 1980 Marlin 336 in 35 Rem. I will no longer use it in rain because it lets moisture in and is then useless until it evaporates. But its mojo factor is priceless and this setup is my go-to in all other weather conditions.
 
I have three Tasco "World Class" 3-9x40's on different rifles that have been perfectly good for years.
I think they were under $50 bucks ea.

rc
 
I have a Millet TRS-1 that is surprisingly good. Maybe not cheap by some standards at $350-ish, but it's a 4-16X50 illuminated mil-dot. I bought it used for $150 or so.
 
There are some people who will pass up perfectly good and durable jeans at Wal-Mart for 12 bucks. Then go on an extended search to find jeans no better, but cost $100.00 and up because of a cool high end brand name and sales outlet where sold.

I often think it is the same for many other items, to include guns and scopes, because of the cool factor.
 
I've got several BSA scopes that were all under $150 from Midway. Got them all in the past few months. I have them mounted on a 6.5 Lapua, .308, and .223. All three have been flawless. Clear glass and they hold zero.
 
i think my cheapest is an acog. it definitely works though
 
This South Dakota muley was taken at approx 175 yards from steady rest. Scope is TASCO 4X compact from the early 1980's. Made in Japan and made right as far as I'm concerned.

Rifle is Savage model 99 in .308 - a deadly mule deer and elk rifle I've owned since 1972.

TR

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I am getting away from cheap scopes, I spend too much time/ammo re-zeroing them, my Bushnell Sportsman just let me down yesterday at the range sending my 30-06 every which away, I will be replacing it with either a Redfield or another Nikon, best $150 I have ever spent on shooting, except for mabey my stack of RL19 :D
 
I have three Tasco "World Class" 3-9x40's on different rifles that have been perfectly good for years.
I think they were under $50 bucks ea.

The older Japanese made Tasco Scopes were very good, but that was 20-25 years ago. $50 in 1985 money is closer to a $200 scope today.

And that $200 limit is about as low as you can go and get a scope today that is not junk. There are several I've used that aren't bad at all. The older Burris FF-II is my favorite in this range, but a Redfield Revolution, Nikon Buckmaster, or Vortex Diamondback are decent choices. I cannot recommend the Nikon Prostaff. The Buckmaster is only slightly more expensive, and is a far better scope.

If someone can squeeze $300 into their budget a Leupold VX-2 is the most scope for the dollar. Spending $600 only gets you a marginally better scope, but they are 2X better than anything in the $250 range.
 
The Bushnell seems to only drop in optical quality as you go down the range top to bottom. I've owned quite a few lower to upper end and NONE of 'em were mechanically troublesome. A few, the optics left a lot to be desired. Some were actually decent. I have a Bushnell Trophy 3x9 on a .22 mag that's danged GOOD, even has the Euro style focus ring.

I've always like Weaver, not the lowest price, but good quality for the money even today. They're not the old Weaver anymore, but they're still good scopes for the money.

I wouldn't take a truck load of Simmons scopes if you GAVE 'em to me, well, unless I wanted to see if I could shoot through one like Gunny Hathcock or something. :rolleyes;

Tasco? Eh, nah, not me.

I bought a cheap (60 dollars) Chinese no brand scope at a tool sale once. Just had to buy SOMETHING when I was there and it had lighted reticule. That darned thing is clear and bright and ain't quit yet! It has amazed me, figured it'd be junk. Obvious Simmons don't get there scopes from this outfit. I have it on my .50 caliber CVA Wolff right now. That gun does have a bit of recoil, scope is doing fine, been on that gun for over a year.

I've often wondered about BSA. I have one that came on a used Ruger Mk2, LER, only on a .22 and it's been great, but I still don't know if I'd trust buying one for any sort of important hunting rifle. My SIL has a few and he likes 'em, but with me, the jury is still out.

I think if I get another scope for serious use now, it'll probably be a Nikon, GREAT optics for the money and seem to be tough as nails.
 
In case you're wondering, I had a Simmons Whitetail shoot loose on me, the reticule, on a deer hunt with a Savage in 7mm Rem Mag, just couldn't take the recoil. I bought a Whetherby Supreme 3x9x44 for that rifle, best optic I own at the moment, was selling out at 150 bucks. That thing compares with any Leupold I've ever put my eye behind. No longer made, though.
 
I have a Barska on a Ruger 10/22 that's been there for about 6 years and has been a great scope for the .22lr. Granted, there's little to no recoil so who knows how it'd fare on a real rifle.

Also, I have a used Swift scope that I bought at a pawnshop for $20 that is flawless. Bright, clear, easy to use.
 
I have a Western Field 2x7 that has been on my 760 since 1969. Never had a problem. It spent most of it's career in the woods of western Washington and Oregon.
 
I have a Tasco Pronghorn that I received for Christmas one year, the price tag said $25.99. I keep it on my No. 4 Mk1 Enfield, and the rifle and scope have claimed 23 Whitetail. I would say its one of the toughest scopes I've owned.
 
The Weaver El Paso Texas Made Micro Trac scopes remain an excellent optic and they were economy class at the time in the lower powers! Tungsten ball tracking, hardened USA steel on steel builds, Weaver spent a lot on improving the optical glass quality on the Micro Trac years also ! Wonderful bullet proof scopes IMHO. You have to spend over $1000 today to get as good as an early 80s Weaver Micro Trac which you can get on E bay for $100 or less!
 
I have an "old" Tasco 3 X 9 "pronghorn" that I bought in 1995 and it has served tours of duty on my .06 and currently on my TC Black Diamond Muzz. It is crystal clear and has helped me harvest a bruin and countless white-tails.

On my Yugo M70B1 and my Ruger SR22, I have "Leapers" 1.25 X 4 Tactical mil-dot scopes. They seem to work fine and for 79 bucks, if they fail after 3 years, I'll just buy something else. So far, so good.
 
In terms of dollar value & good glass Mueller is excellent, I own 2, glass is clear as or superior to my Nikon Monarch,

also the new Redfield Revolution line is very good.
 
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